Don't think it was from a filter as the oil from the filter all goes into the oil passages not back in the pan.
What kind of fuel pump are you running Mo??? Thats a pretty good sized check ball in comparison to your drain plug. Looks like it came out of a PVC valve...If you run one thats where I would look first...
Is there an oil bypass valve that might have a ball and spring like that? But, if that came apart I guess there wouldn't be any oil pressure.
Ding. This is your most likely culprit. That matches what I said about a mechanical vacuum switch. Do you have a the PCV valve still in your oil fill cap?
yea maybe PCV...I'll go look at it Monday. I have one on the passenger side. I have a holley electronic fuel pump going to a holley regulator...but any part of that that would come loose would go to the fuel bowls, wouldn't leave the squirters, so would probably stay in the carb. If something make it down the intake by mistake, let's say if I dropped it down the intake by mistake, wouldn't it end up in the piston cylinder? how would it go from there into the oil pan?
If this item fell down your intake you would have damage and it would not have ended up in your oil pan. I would bet it is from you pcv valve like Mavman72 stated, the oil drain back hole in the cylinder head is pretty close to being directly underneath the the stock location for pcv valve and engine is angled so that oil returns to the lower rear section of the heads. I guess we will see when you check it out
Bryant and I were debating whether we should take the engine apart just to make sure everything is ok....I guess if it ends up being the PCV valve I'll go get another PCV valve and see what else is missing....if there are other parts I just may have to take this beast apart....if not then I probably got really lucky.... anyone think these particles in the oil pan have anything to do with my valve stud breaking?
and a follow up question....do I need a PCV valve? I mean if it is the PCV that went faulty I really don't want this to happen again...
You need some kind of method to get rid of crankcase pressue, it does not have to be pcv valve but that is the easiest way. You could go with extra breathers on your valve covers or an evac pump or header evac system
Your supposed to replace the PCV valve every few oil changes so that this doesn't happen. Also because they often have filters in them to scrub the vapors going through them. If you have one you can change the filter in that usually keeps them from getting over-gunked and falling apart.
when they gunk, they stick, how do they...fall apart. I have seen 100s and have never seen one that has...fallen apart...
I have never seen one fall apart either but if it can happen you can be sure that it will happen to Mo
Faulty Chinese plastic, high heat, improper assembly at manufacture, lots of reasons for one to fail.....
